Thread: Omaha City Council approves resolution in support of DACA

Omaha City Council approves resolution in support of DACA

Council approves DACA resolution saying issue is critical for Omaha

Updated: 5:35 PM CDT Oct 17, 2017

OMAHA, Neb. —The Omaha City Council approved a resolution Tuesday urging Congress to act swiftly to protect "Dreamers", students protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program known as DACA.


The vote was 5-0, with council members Brinker Harding and Aimee Melton not voting.

South Omaha council member Vinny Palermo drafted the non-binding resolution.

One South Omaha resident urged the council to support the resolution, saying she sees DACA students blossoming.

"We can not cut those buds. We need to let them grow and continue to contribute to our economy," she said.


DACA provides protection from deportation those who entered the country as minors without legal immigration status, under a 2012 order from President Barack Obama.


A spokeswoman for "Taxpayers for Freedom: Project Immigration" was among three people who spoke in opposition to the ordinance. She told the council the priority should be to protect America's citizens.


"Are we to exercise compassion to illegal immigrants at the expensive of those who entered the United States legally?", she asked. "Americans want our borders secured and immigration laws enforced. Not amnesty."


Council member Aimee Melton passed on the vote, saying she felt the city council had no place addressing the DACA issue.

Melton asked why Washington D.C. dysfunction should be brought to the council chambers.


"Should we now issue a resolution on North Korea? Tax reform?", asked Melton. "I am not going to address federal issues on the city council floor."


Council member Chris Jerram said the resolution will tell Congress that Omaha believes this is an important issue to resolve and critical to the community.


"I don't want to miss this moment," said Jerram.


President Trump has signed an order to end the DACA program unless Congress takes action to protect the program.




http://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-city-council-approves-resolution-in-support-of-daca/13036825

Council member Aimee Melton passed on the vote, saying she felt the city council had no place addressing the DACA issue.

Smart lady. This is a feel good resolution that is meaningless.